Editorial

Welcome to this week’s editorial, When I was in my early teens I met a millionaire. He was a family acquaintance, newly arrived from Australia and now living in Port Moresby. Being a millionaire he built a millionaires house on Airvos Avenue overlooking the harbour. Being a millionaires house it could be seen by everyone in the town and presented an example of the sort of house you could aspire to if you were a millionaire who wanted millionaire views. A visit to this house was an eye opener. It had views. Big views. It had a pool. A big pool. And it had a TV. The only TV in the town that picked up a Cairns TV sta on via its millionaire antenna. As a kid I was impressed. I was also amused that the big house with all its rooms, its billiards room and its poolside bar were all for just one person. The millionaire. He appeared to have everything he wanted but there was no family and no love in the house. Just stuff. Lots and lots of very expensive stuff. The millionaire stayed around for a few years, made some good investments, found himself a wife and then le . Being a millionaire in a millionaire’s house there were no buyers for his grand design so it was le to slowly be consumed by the mould of the tropics. In me it was demolished with only the memory, of those who recall, the first millionaire. When I le PNG to come to Australia I announced I was going to make my fortune. And maybe I might become a millionaire. Everyone laughed. It was un l many years later, si ng on my bed in a cramped hotel room in Saigon that I celebrated becoming a mul millionaire. Around $200 US in Vietnamese Dong covered the bed in wads of various denomina ons. “If only they could see me now”. But the reality was that I was not a millionaire. I was a typical Australian leading a typical life earning a typical wage and the idea of being a millionaire was s ll well out of reach. But something has changed. Either we have all become rich overnight or the value of a million dollars has plunged drama cally. We are now told that when we re re we should have $1 million to cover our overheads as we grow old gracefully. That money should avail a moderate life in a moderate home un l one needs to relocate to a moderate nursing home. If you have that along with moderate assets you might supplement it with a moderate pension that might moderately increase with CPI (or not). The next evidence of the devalua on of the le “Millionaire” is the realisa on that a crappy li le fibro bungalow two streets back from the beach with the possibility of a view from the top floor (if one was added) is now worth more than $1 million dollars. Up un l a year or so ago the same house would have been around $500,000 to $600,000 and would have been within reach of a young family buying their first home. It has arrived at a point where anyone with their own home on the South Coast could call nearly themselves a “millionaire”. But what of those who don’t yet own their own home. Council has just sold land in Dalmeny to a developer jus fying the sale by saying that it is their role to make available land to meet demand. There is a property boom across the shire with more and more subdivisions opening up at Coila, Broulee, Rosedale, Malua Bay and north in Long Beach and Nelligen. More land for more houses for more people. By rights the cost of houses should plateau with an increase in supply, but most likely they won’t. Si ng side by side with these million dollar houses is the fact that we have the highest youth unemployment ever experienced, a massive problem with underemployment and li le sign of any wage growth in the near future. Our newly elected councillors all included the catchphrase of a need for more affordable housing. The only way houses will be more affordable to rent, or buy, will be if we have wages that can meet the ever increasing mortgages. I remember my Aunt telling me that behind the doors of Millionaire’s Row in Maroubra in the 1970’s were families who could only afford Weetbix and sausages. Forty years on and it seems li le has changed—we all now live in millionaire’s houses with sausage incomes. And did I become a millionaire with a million dollars laid out on my bed. No, unless I sell my house and move to the Back of Bourke. Meanwhile think of those of in own community, who have found themselves homeless, now being offered tents to live in, if they can find somewhere to set up camp. And those in donated caravans now being moved on from holiday camping sites. I once heard this was a lucky country where an average person, working hard, could afford an average house in an average street and live a good life with an average wage. Now it seems we all need to be a millionaire, at the least, to get by. Un l next—lei

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community George Bass Drive reopening nears

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 George Bass Drive at Grandfathers Gully, Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Lilli Pilli, is scheduled to reopen to traffic by Thursday 23 December. Eurobodalla Council’s infrastructure services director Warren Sharpe OAM said the major project was moving rapidly toward comple on, with sealing of the first two sec ons completed this week. “The ongoing wet weather con nues to be problema c for road construc on,” Mr Sharpe said. “Following the further heavy rain expected this week, we will prepare the central sec on of the project and the Denise Drive intersec on for sealing and line-marking, which we hope to be complete before the opening date.” Mr Sharpe said the finishing touches would be completed in the new year when the road is open to traffic. He thanked residents impacted by the closure for their pa ence, including those on the temporary bypass road. “Once complete this major route upgrade will provide improved safety, resilience and capacity to service the northern growth corridor in Eurobodalla,” Mr Sharpe said. “While the road has been closed, we have also reused excess material from the central cut to widen the fill embankments along George Bass Drive near Carramar Drive and Lilli Pilli Road to make that sec on of the road safer too.” More on Eurobodalla Council’s current works is at www.esc.nsw.gov.au/currentworks Images: A major project to realign a sec on of George Bass Drive at Lilli Pilli is nearing comple on, with sealing of the first two sec ons completed this week.

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Bunnings Group Limited, 34/32 Princess Hwy, Batemans Bay is hos ng a Christmas Community Market on Wednesday 15th December 2021from 6 pm to 7.30pm +, indoors in the Trade Centre of the Bunnings Store. Join in the fes vi es whilst suppor ng some of your favourite Community Not for Profit Groups… Moruya An que Tractor & Machinery Associa on (MATAMA), the RSPCA, Batemans Bay Lions Club & CWA, Marine Rescue, Hope House, Australian Army Cadets, Muddy Puddles, Banksia Village, the Lapidary Club, the RFS, Headspace plus more. You will find Special gi s to purchase for Christmas, Games for the Kids, Santa, Live entertainment, a sausage sizzle & each stall has its individual Raffle with great prizes generously donated by Bunnings. Everyone is welcome to come along & enjoy this ac vity & swing into the Christmas Spirit. Their Community Market event on the 9th of December was a wonderful experience, so don’t miss this one! Support your local Community& thank you to Bunnings for their support of our local Community!

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Vo ng con nues on Monday to determine who will be mayor SOURCE: h ps://vtr.elec ons.nsw.gov.au/LG2101/eurobodalla/results

ROAD CLOSURES Update Friday 10 December 7pm Emergency services predict we should see flood waters start to recede now the rivers have peaked, des are going out and rain has eased. Shoutout to the workers who’ve been out in these terrible condi ons since early this morning keeping us safe. Legends. Next week they’ll back it up, assessing damage and star ng repairs. We’ve already applied for NSW Government natural disaster relief - our ninth in two years. NEW Eurobodalla Road at Cemetery Bridge Silo Farm bridge, west of Bodalla Eurobodalla Road, west of Bodalla, closed at the turf farm North Head Drive, Moruya (closed, will be assessed first thing Saturday, detour highway and Broulee Road) Church Street, Mogo Clouts Road, Mogendoura Old Nelligen Rd, 3.5 km from Kings Highway River Road causeway, Nelligen Kiora Bridge, Moruya Wamban Bridge, Moruya Sunnyside Road causeway, Mystery Bay Tyrone Bridge, Eurobodalla Road Mt Wandera Road, landslip (new sec on of Araluen Road now open at Knowles Creek for residents only.) Eurobodalla’s sportgrounds and ovals closed Narooma Library closed Friday arvo Moruya Pool closed - check Moruya War Memorial Swimming Pool for reopening details NEW OPEN Veitch Street, Mogo (single lane access) NEW OPEN Araluen Road at Knowles Creek, for residents only. This is the newly built sec on opened a week ahead of schedule - more work to do before open to all traffic OPEN Potato Point Road east of industrial area OPEN Kings Highway OPEN Princes Hwy, Mogo OPEN McGregors Bridge, Araluen Road Please take extra care if you must drive. Lights on, slow down, extra distance from the car in front. Don’t cross barriers - they’re in place for a reason! Follow Live Traffic NSW for updates. Our hearts go out to the Mogo community. Many businesses have been flooded. Thankfully everyone is safe. Our recovery support staff have been in the village to assist, visi ng shop owners and residents to make sure they have what they need for now. Other recovery services will arrive once the emergency is over. Emergency services confirm livestock losses, although the extent is unknown. South East Local Land Services staff are following up.

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community Moruya Rotary Scholarship recipients announced

Congratula ons to Amanda Emery and Thomas Derwent on being Moruya Rotary Scholarship recipients. Both will receive $4,000 each over the next two years which will assist with their expenses at ANU. Amanda will be studying Bachelor of Commerce and Thomas Bachelor of Interna onal Rela ons.

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Pictured with the recipients are President Chris Manahan and Youth Director Phil Smith. Photo supplied

Move With Women exercise coming to the Bay

Diabetes NSW & ACT are very excited to announce the launch of Move with Women, a FREE group exercise program for women (18+) of all fitness levels and backgrounds. Beginning on Friday 11th February 2022 at 8:00 am at Eurobodalla Exercise Physiology 38 Cranbrook Road, Batemans Bay The program involves a one-hour group exercise session every week for nine weeks, with an addi onal 30 minute health educa on session every fortnight. This fun, social and mo va ng program incorporates many of the factors that contribute to women’s health – exercise sessions, ps to ea ng healthy, techniques to relieve stress and anxiety, and an opportunity to connect with other women. The program is delivered in a safe, non-judgemental and comfortable se ng, by qualified Exercise Physiologists who have experience working with groups of women in all different stages of life. Par cipants that register for Move with Women receive: · 1:1 consulta on and goal se ng with an Exercise Physiologist · Nine one-hour group exercise classes suitable to their fitness level · Move with Women Par cipant Booklet which includes fun ac vi es and health informa on for women · Resistance band to use during the program and on the exercise journey a erwards · Final assessment, wrap up and plans for the future catch up with an Exercise Physiologist · The opportunity to meet new people, create friendships and connect with other women This ini a ve is aimed at all women in the community – unlike many of their other programs, you do not need to be diagnosed with diabetes to join. Registering for the program is easy, you can visit movewithwomen.com.au/classes or call 1800 328 951.

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Narooma Rotary launches Prostate Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Cancer Support Group

A new Prostate Cancer Support Group for the far south coast was launched by Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain last Tuesday (7 December) in front of a gathering of 20 men and women.

Ms McBain saluted Narooma Rotary’s ini a ve in star ng the group, acknowledging the high number of prostate cancer sufferers in the region due to its age demographic. “Every family has someone who has experienced cancer in some form, including my own, and I fully appreciate the importance of the support this group will offer individuals and their families impacted by prostate cancer,” she said. Narooma Rotary President Andrew Lawson was delighted with the response of those present, the interac ons and the feedback they gave. “It really exceeded my expecta ons. Many said they were so grateful such a group had formed and they will be encouraging others they know to come along,” he said. It is a Narooma Rotary ini a ve to support people from Batemans Bay to Eden and is affiliated with the Prostate Cancer Founda on of Australia.

The Group will meet on the first Tuesday each month 6.30-8.30pm at Narooma Men’s Shed (41A Barker Parade, Narooma). The next mee ng is Tuesday 4 January at 6.30pm. Braveheart Healthcare (Lighthouse Surgery and Bermagui Medical Centre) has aligned with the new Support Group. “Generally a er diagnosis and ini al treatment there has been li le follow up and support for pa ents, their partners and families,” said Braveheart’s Dr Gundi Muller-Grotjan. “This group will go a long way to assist.”

Above: Narooma Prostate Cancer Support Group was launched recently by Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain. Narooma Rotary President Andrew Lawson, left, Kristy McBain, Dr Gundi Muller-Grotjan of Braveheart Healthcare, and Narooma Rotarians Julie Hartley and Mike Young.

A er not being held last year because of covid, the 26th St Cecilia Youth Scholarships Annual Finalists' Concert was held last Sunday/Sunday 5 December in the beau ful surrounds of St Bernards Church at Batehaven. From 34 entries in the audi ons, twelve finalists were selected by the adjudicator for the awards and they performed to great acclaim in front of a very apprecia ve audience of well over one hundred and fi y. "The standard of music performed at the concert by the young musicians was certainly as high as ever", said the commi ee president, Mr Chris Heazlewood. "And we are very apprecia ve of the generous dona ons by Moruya CWA, Batemans Bay Rotary, Eurobodalla Shire Council, South Coast Music Society, PerFex and generous individual donors which allows such a worthwhile organisa on to help such wonderful young musicians", said Chris. ST CECILIA YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS 2021 AWARDS

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Senior Classical Chantelle Benne (Violin) Tathra $1000 Damia O'Loughlin (Clarinet) Broulee $750 Kalani Scognamiglio (Recorder) Catalina $400

Senior Contemporary Sam Peate (Guitar/vocal) Tuross $1000 Joshua Vanze (Piano) Longbeach $750 Darcy Coppin (Vocal) Moruya $400

Junior Classical Amelie Ziino (Violin) Merimbula $500 Alyssa Gould (Violin) Bega $300 O'Shea Clohesy (Piano) Broulee $200

Junior Contemporary Amelie Ziino (Violin) Merimbula $500 Maxine Wilson (Piano) Surf Beach $300. Kaitlyn Lenihan (Vocal) (Kianga) $200

Under 18s can let their hair down at two free events on Friday 17 December at Batehaven and Narooma. Hosted by Eurobodalla Council’s youth services on the official last day of the school term, the two School’s Out Youth Par es will be held at Corrigans Beach Reserve and the Narooma Youth Café, from 3.30pm to 8pm. Council’s youth development officer Sophie Scobie said 2021 had been a wild ride for Eurobodalla’s younger folk, and it was me to let loose. “This year has been so hec c with lockdowns preven ng many celebra ons from going ahead, so we want to get everyone together to relax, have a good me and say so long to 2021,” she said. “We’ll party on the beach at Batehaven, with some cool ac vi es like cricket and hula hoops, as well as DJ, food trucks on site, and there’ll be prizes to be won. Plus, the first 50 people through the gate eat free. “At Narooma we’ll fill the youth café with good vibes and pumping tunes from a DJ. There’ll be free food, prizes, we’ll have dance and chill zones, as well as pool, basketball, Xbox and more.” Both events are drug and alcohol free for people aged 12-18. To a end just rock up on the day, or for more informa on phone Council’s youth development officer Sophie Scobie on 4474 1302. You can also follow @Eurobodalla_Youth on Instagram.

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community Landcare and OceanWatch recovery plan for bushfire-damaged mangroves

Two years a er the catastrophic 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires, an environmental group is working with the community to monitor and regenerate mangrove forests which were severely impacted along the NSW South Coast.

This environmental challenge was something the OceanWatch team hadn’t seen before as mangroves don’t usually burn. But with those extreme fires, they did. OceanWatch and a team of ci zen scien sts are now monitoring the mangroves to start the process of nursing them back to health, with the help of a $63,000 grant from the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants Program. Mangroves serve as a habitat for thousands of species of marine and land creatures, and are essen al for a balanced aqua c ecosystem. During the bushfires, sec ons of mangrove forest around Batemans Bay, a coastal town 285 km from Sydney, were effec vely cooked by the heat of the intense fires, killing off trees and destroying habitat. Where healthy mangroves had once thrived, all that remained were skeleton trees that caused bait fish to move offshore, and sediment leading to poor water quality for local oysters. Seeing the damage first hand, oyster grower Kevin McAsh invited OceanWatch to view the burned landscape for themselves, and put together a plan to regenerate the mangroves. Dr Claudia Santori, OceanWatch spa al project officer, visited the area early in 2021 to inspect the trees damaged by the bushfires along the Clyde River and at Mogendoura Creek. “Even a year a er bushfires had torn through the landscape, sec ons were not regenera ng naturally. This is because of the dal nature of mangroves, and though the trees produce many seeds, they don’t always land somewhere they can fix onto, or the seeds aren’t viable,” she said. “The first part of our program was to observe the impacted sites to understand how mangroves regenerate. Part of this observa on is the training of on-ground ci zen scien sts who can monitor progress. This data will be used to shape an ac on plan catered for each sec on of the mangroves. We need to show the extent of the damage and the limited ability of the mangroves to regenerate on their own, so we can get the permits we need to revive the mangroves as they are on public land,” she added. Once permits and data are in hand, Dr Santori said there are several ways the group can aid the mangroves. “Some ac ons are passive, like signage and talking to landowners to keep them off the mangroves as they regenerate, while others are more ac ve, requiring hand plan ng of seedlings or even dropping them from a modified drone,” she said. An issue was the difficulty in managing regenera on when mangroves varied and don’t respond to the same techniques. “The challenge with mangroves is there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some mangroves are muddy; others sandy, so the data we collect will guide us for the best approach for the sec on being regenerated,” Dr Santori said.

OceanWatch expects to complete their observa on work by the end of the year, with regenera on work to be completed by April 2022. The hope is by training locals in mangrove monitoring they can con nue to care for the mangroves for years to come. The $14 million Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants Program is suppor ng projects in regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, and has been funded by the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Program for Wildlife and their Habitat.

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Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

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community EcoCrews launches into Eurobodalla, Vol 16 September 15th 2017 to grow careers Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 and strengthen local community

EcoCrews alongside key project host and partner, Eurobodalla Shire Council hosted their official launch event on 8 December 2021 at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens

A social enterprise of Campbell Page, funded by the NSW Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) fund, EcoCrews is an exci ng new ini a ve that will provide paid jobs with accredited training in the environment sector, for locals living in the Eurobodalla.

Run as 6-monthly projects, crew members will get paid while working on a range of projects learning valuable environmental skills in land management and conserva on. The Eurobodalla Shire Council project will include seed collec on and plan ng na ve seedlings, repairing public spaces, clearing damaged landscapes, erosion control and preven on. Campbell Page CEO, Natalie Turmine, said she was excited for the launch and the opportuni es EcoCrews brings saying “This partnership is crea ng real prospects and sustainable jobs for locals. They’re ge ng fantas c hands-on experience and skills working on these council projects while ge ng paid”. Eurobodalla Council’s coordinator of sustainability Heidi Thomson said the team could look forward to an exci ng work schedule. “They’ll get plenty of learning opportuni es gaining valuable skills not found in textbooks or lecture halls, with great conserva on outcomes for the shire,” Ms Thomson said “Interes ngly, several of Council’s natural resources staff started out in programs just like this many moons ago.” " EcoCrews is funded via federal and state funding under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, managed through Campbell Page and community partners Eurobodalla Shire Council, The SAGE Project Stepping Stone Farm and more. Well done to all involved. I can’t wait to hear your experiences and journey." A ending the launch the Federal member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said "I am absolutely thrilled to see the launch of EcoCrews Eurobodalla, which trains young people as part of bushfire recovery. It was terrific talking with the first EcoCrew members finding out their background and how they are excited to be learning new skills." To find out more about EcoCrews, or to get involved, visit www.ecocrews.org.au or call the team on 1300 291 003. Above: some of the members of the first round of EcoCrew with Campbell Page CEO, Natalie Turmine and Federal member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips.